To put it mildly, things are not going well this season for the Dallas Cowboys.
The Cowboys' season got off to an abysmal start on the field, with a 3-5 record and third-place standing in the NFC East. Then, quarterback Dak Prescott and star wideout CeeDee Lamb both got injured in Week 9, with the former landing on injured reserve with a hamstring strain.
Before Prescott and Lamb, though, there was another concerning Cowboys injury that contributed to the downfall of the defense. Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence was limited to just four games before suffering a foot injury.
Lawrence will be a free agent at the end of this season, and should be fully healthy sometime soon. But the worse Dallas plays, the more unlikely it seems that the 32-year-old will want to stick with his longtime team.
Veteran stars typically like to sign with contending teams, and there's no reason to think Lawrence would be the exception. Recently, Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report listed the Detroit Lions as a top suitor for Lawrence this spring.
"Lawrence was simply superb this season before the injury. He tallied 14 tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks, 10 quarterback pressures and a forced fumble in four games. Lawrence should appeal to teams seeking pass-rush help or an improved run defense, though he's best suited for those utilizing a four-man front," Knox said.
"Lawrence would find a terrific fit with the Lions, who should have star edge-rusher Aidan Hutchinson back by the spring. Hutchinson will remain Detroit's primary pass-rusher, but the Lions desperately need a high-end complement."
Not only is Lawrence a four-time Pro Bowler, but he's still at the peak of his powers despite being in his 11th season. Joining forces with the Lions, who have the NFC's best record and have continued to ascend under head coach Dan Campbell, could be a scary proposition.
The Cowboys may not want to lose Lawrence, whose three-year, $40 million contract turned out to be great value. But with Prescott's $240 million extension on the books through 2028, they might not have much choice in the matter.
